![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-LNIObnJlfU5rBBu9r01uP4BPLuUkxL2R6wteQHKda082BafCY6CpdElQBKddsVBo2Sk923zz92zMoo6rUMAcPlkxEta4aUXLdke0Xh9CExFSPTBUN5JwEuWWx1ziX3VvTdmyn2LcPwH/s400/alotofballs.jpg) |
A lot of surprise balls |
Inspired by this year's advent calendar (click here:
The Mega Terrific Fabuloso Advent Calendar Surprise Ball), I decided to create some maker surprise balls for an upcoming gallery pop-up sale. The idea here is that each ball (with some exceptions) contains innards that the recipient can use to make something of their own. Below are some examples and some exceptions.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhou9Gk_Z8VAPqBo2Wd4jpKvYul_OuCzP1FT7xuWmjpc6Dc3l6AmlHZjU9BMmgi3i3-4H28V9vu7Ai3mt41rLVPWHLDazx0mYnEmEPZg4na3qX9KAcER-8Z_NhnzaHRtkuzM-aq1FyYF_AV/s400/3.jpg) |
Greener than Thou Ball |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMrQZExRJRgLFUO10pmPT65cLkTDVhMJjk4WXPGsQBip_nkC4NMssyhZkBu0M2FtWTg19_kjt4v7aLLzvXlECqN9ahtoSABZPCQOLwFLH_w71ELuXeGE6tbTH3V8mwOFexotPKaw2ESbxt/s400/3fill.jpg) |
Ball innards |
Save the planet with this eco-conscious surprise ball: 2 seed bomb bangles (yes, jewelry that empowers you to sow greenery everywhere - see past
Seed Bomb Bangles post); necklace of recycled paper beads; gold mesh bag; two foil-wrapped chocolate coins.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvSo5H-sIIV3elB8uQ-HniqlQGhc_HzQ2e6QjhpVO1DTDGnnwJ_CWaKkSwdtYkqyQwfECsVZhOAWeIpy30QMWkVgx3gEcvYvdsz-xiiXnSduA9LhRh9NxH0aJY8dzXPHuHRAXH9lZPzra/s400/66.jpg) |
Make Something Chinese Surprise Ball |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8w4vcDblIH1bW7eH57qgG2zkgprG8IMyN-x-w77v40lWOgUKdaFY5UfYjB8rs6Xy6rJKtCDkv-7dSGMCXoV3ka-aC5vLeovtEg5IkokfYGGdpSGQF8wV4zeRCzyouo5pF2m3IozfjpopM/s400/66fill.jpg) |
Ball innards |
Make Something Chinese: An assortment of gorgeous Chinese pendants including a 2" faux ivory frog, a faux ivory ring, and three carved stone fish; cord for stringing; and two foil-wrapped chocolate coins. Make pendants or perhaps use for decorative pulls for shades or lamp cords.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIQ7x_fqPUv-IDDL-IAFfL6eWFkD1DUTiCNBmPyYZbxwqDBjv4d32AZNB_XEkE-vxaQ7gB_99o_Bdb0iH7Tb-AY88gGRde8QdBlQPUKHq6n6bFQMbOZeWGyuTqbulF5c3SU0WiK6DwaSF/s400/42.jpg) |
Primitive Beads Surprise Ball |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxe6vEQiXvEQGvdQYHJatJe-_KRw6VHhUod4Nbdpcvk6YyOOnkOUx440N8Uf9zhKUwibleUoC1451tEwsRObEevvyB4FrZB_Oe1rlEjty9n3E49mcC4w_VrUJCmcoOJPwnKzi_2Sm4a-Wj/s400/42fill.jpg) |
Ball innards |
Primitive Clay Bead Make Project: Create some gorgeous things with contents that include an small embroidered pull string bag from a Hmong hill tribe; 12 large carved clay beads; string for putting together something amazing; and two foil-wrapped chocolate coins.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLoRiGETPtarF4ZzI_gv4HXHHM_ypok0AK0qXpG00XuBsyfXixQfoqfb6HCWLxTnsw4NDm8J0Ed_Q3CfRcioV7XpY7SKlh2Rdg5qNjlkSLtTe5QjrQjFu85CSVg75dlmtHySjpc5lbzGY/s400/4.jpg) |
Bruja Magic |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedK7gRHkDRDpSFh3EBT7WfxBXaNrhzI9HxgdPa-q5eIDCFTyJSLQr9LfETTStjYHv73L3tGHrxGp5CcHi6P6CLftz6Ol8TKnDVIYh9yWYr1ixfKPlFryGb5eyZ_gdxyQMXdcP-c04t9yQ/s400/4fill.jpg) |
Ball innards |
Create some Bruja Magic! "Bruja" means "witch" in Spanish. Ball includes an assortment of magic talismans from Oaxaca including a packet of "Legitimate Powder; I have you tied up and spiked" (a love potion?); a small good fortune bag with a little picture of a saint outside and lots of little seeds, beads, and a mysterious vial inside; a milage (good luck charm) in the shape of a bird; a hand-cut, hand-painted tin hand with a heart in the palm, suitable for a pendant or wall hanging; and two foil-wrapped chocolate coins.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipxJyVjib2OhQACE3z3Z2CGp6QKFBaAEPuncuxCcBxNYIi1XMPGu1510yFZF1mHWQ4oJPNYk1Ft-8fsvrgFfuugdOOEksRu1U-xUsziPspWMJTvzJtOWiEIbCU3aKjJiDtRynrz4vMKw0D/s400/5.jpg) |
For the Young and Young-at-Heart |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGWmoD3vkJiFHvn4DMxgzQYdDzFPHEF_TAd-ynox1so-FDIlJp28_zHy0i9xO85GtbhSAF-63jE3z5NdxMmODKUp3lYUSguRMkwQYnVcdY4tuh3eWdFtWfZ307hm_z26EleNFwmRm_1rVv/s400/5fill.jpg) |
Ball innards |
Above is one of the exceptions, though I suppose making fun could be considered a legitimate make project. This is the only ball I made for children, and it is in the shape of a fish. Contents include a mini-Slinky, a small finger flashlight, a small goldfish notebook, a toy car, and a foil-wrapped chocolate coin.
I could continue . . . I made dozens of balls. The transferable idea here is that if you are a maker yourself, you have accumulated an excess of supplies by now and you can use some of them to make some intriguing surprise balls, fostering the maker concept in a most entertaining way.
If you'd like to see the balls above and more up close and personal, below is a flyer for the pop-up gallery show.